7 Ways Your Loved One Might Be Making Her Arthritis Pain Worse

Senior Care in Madison FL

It’s tough to think about it this way, but your loved one could actually be making her own arthritis pain worse by doing certain things. If this is the case for your loved one, you can help her to change her approach a bit and hopefully see less pain in her joints.

Pushing Past Her Limitations
If your loved one is enjoying an activity or she simply doesn’t want to feel like she’s different from everyone else, she might push harder than she should. Overdoing certain activities, such as gardening for several hours instead of one, can lead to worse joint pain later in the day.

Opting Not to Rest
Maybe your loved one is used to going and going, no matter what. This kind of energy and tenacity is admirable, but she needs to rest some, too. Your loved one needs to learn to balance out activity and rest so that her joints have time to recuperate.

Not Exercising at All
Exercise works your loved one’s muscles and joints, which helps to strengthen them. While rest is helpful to your loved one’s body, too much rest is just as bad as too much exercise. Your loved one needs a healthy balance between activity and inactivity.

Not Sleeping Well
Sleep is the ultimate version of rest for your loved one’s body. It’s when her entire body is able to completely relax and recharge. Not sleeping well also leaves her feeling fatigued the next day, which can have her feeling sluggish and not exercising the way that she should in order to stay healthy.

Skipping Medication
Often your loved one might feel as though she’s doing well, so she doesn’t need to take any of the medications prescribed by her doctor. Unfortunately, that starts a situation in which she may end up in pain when she didn’t need to be. Help your loved one remember to stick to her medication regimen, even if she’s sure that she doesn’t need it.

Gaining Weight
Gaining even a few pounds can cause your loved one a lot of pain, especially if her arthritis is focused in her hips, knees, or ankles. Sticking to a healthy diet and a reasonable exercise plan can be just enough to help your loved one to stay at a healthy weight that doesn’t put pressure on her joints.

Focusing on the Negative
Having a positive attitude can go a long way toward helping your loved one to feel much better no matter how advanced her arthritis is. Help her to stay positive, even if she can’t do all of the activities that she used to do. It may even be possible to replace some of her favorite activities with modified versions that are easier for her to do.

Work with your loved one’s medical team and senior care providers to help make sure that she’s not making her arthritis pain worse.

If you or an aging loved one are considering hiring senior care services in Madison, FL, please call the caring staff at Hopewell In-Home Senior Care today at 850-386-5552. Providing Senior Care Services in North Florida.

Brian Moran, RN is both a Partner and Director of Marketing for Hopewell In-Home Senior Care. Brian has worked at the Bellevue Hospital in NYC, Tallahassee Community Hospital, Select Specialty Hospital and has over 12 years’ experience as a home health care nurse at American Home Patient. Since joining Hopewell In-Home Senior Care in 2008, Brian has used his knowledge of health care and local resources to help seniors in Tallahassee, FL navigate the medical resource maze. His goal is to assist seniors and their families by increasing awareness, affordability and quality of in-home caregiver services for those who wish to age in place.

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